How do I connect MBP, a Focusrite Saffire and a Glyph GPT50?

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How do I connect MBP, a Focusrite Saffire and a Glyph GPT50?

My best friend and I just purchased a 13" MBP, Logic Pro X and a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24.

We connected the Focusrite to the MBP by using the appropriate Firewire Cable and recored a track to see if it all worked, and it did!!!🙂

We also purchased a Glyph GPT50 Firewire Hard Drive to record directly to (vs using the MBP 750GB/5400 RPM HD), but we have no idea how to integrate it into the system, as there is only (1) Firewire port on the MBP, and only one Firewire port on the Glyph.

Logic Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 28, 2013 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 28, 2013 10:07 AM in response to jerrydpi

There are two FW800 ports on the back of the GPT50.... as I have highlighted in the photo below..

Here are the GPT50 Specs

So.. you should able to connect all this together as such..;

Mac -> FW800 to FW800 cable -> Glyph -> FW800 to FW400 Cable -> Saffire

This way the Glyph will continue to run at FW800 speeds while the Saffire will run at FW400 speed... which is the optimal configuration.

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Answer 2

jerrydpi Author

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Jul 28, 2013 11:05 AM in response to The Art Of Sound

Thank you!!!

Jerry

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Answer 3

jerrydpi Author

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Jul 28, 2013 12:00 PM in response to jerrydpi

Two more questions:

1) We also have a Behringer ADA8000 Ultragain Pro-8 that we are going to use to add an additional 8 Mic Inputs (for micing our Drums).

It has a Optical ADAT I/O on the ADA8000, so do I connect it to the Optical In on the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 and it will work?

Or will I need to do something else?

2) My partner swears he hooked the rig (including the ADA800 via a Optical Cable) up the way you have described (even though I'm not sure he was using the correct cables), and he said the MBP recognized the Glyph, but now the Focusrite is not working correctly when he plugged his Guitar in to record a track.

Plus, he says the ADA8000 is not working now either, but I'm hoping that ties into why the Focusrite is not working as well.

The reason I can't check the cabling/rig now is because it is at the Studio, and I'm at home, but after I hear your response, I'll call him and advise him what to do.

Thanks!

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Answer 4

Jul 28, 2013 12:07 PM in response to jerrydpi

I cannot answer your first question.... as I personally dont use that kind of config here at my studio...

As for the second, it SHOULD work fine if cabled up as I described.

However, some 'touchy' hardware can cause issues when they are not on a bus of their own...or if the cable being used is sub-standard...or slightly non standard. You are using them powered externally yes?(and not relying on bus power?)

However, having said that.. I have always thought/heard that Focusrite gear was fine in regards to this sort of usage and config.. but I could be wrong. Certainly I have had no issues using a variety of different MOTU products that way... and the layout I described, is the correct way of cabling a combination of FW800 and 400 devices for sure..

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Answer 5

jerrydpi Author

Level 1

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Jul 28, 2013 12:37 PM in response to The Art Of Sound

I'm using the respective included Power Supply's on the Saffire and the GPT50.

1) I will call Focusrite tomorrow and ask if the ADA8000 (as well as the GPT50) will work with the Saffire, and if so, what is needed besides just plugging a cable between the two (or hopefully that's all that's necessary).

2) I will call Glyph as well to hear what they have to say.

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